SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Hewlett-Packard Co <HPQ.N>, the
world's biggest computer maker, posted a rise in its quarterly
operating margin on Tuesday, and pointed to strength in its
international business.

HP also confirmed preliminary earnings figures for its
fiscal second quarter released last week that showed a net
profit of $2.1 billion, or 80 cents per share, compared with
$1.8 billion, or 65 cents per share, a year earlier.

Revenue was $28.3 billion, up 11 percent from a year
earlier.

The company also kept intact its earlier forecast for
third-quarter earnings of 82 cents to 83 cents per share,
excluding special items, on revenue of $27.3 billion to $27.4
billion.

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Operating margin, excluding special items, was 10 percent,
up from 9 percent a year earlier and 9.9 percent in the first
quarter, HP said.

HP said international markets accounted for 70 percent of
total revenue, with revenue from Brazil, Russia, India and
China growing 26 percent over a year earlier.